From: Mike Ghaney [mikeghaney@yahoo.ca]
To: kate@katewerk.com
Subject: Newfie
Do a search of your site for the word “Newfie”.
You are a disgusting ignorant bigot. Unwelcome in a modern society.
Oh wait I forgot! Bloggers are above common decency.
That’s what I like best about the concept of blogs and freedom of speech, it let’s people see what type of scum is bubbling below the surface. Everyone seems nice until you ask them for an opinion.
Thanks for taking the mask off.
Mike
Dear Mike;
The search you refer to brings up two rather brief posts, neither of which contains a single word of commentary from me.
However, if you wish to file a formal complaint, please refer to this post for the proper procedures as outlined in the SDA Compaints Manual (3rd edition, approved June14, 2005)
Thankyou.
C’mon guys, this poor guy is obviously in real pain. I suggest we all send him our sympathy. I already have.
Dear Mike,
Perhaps if you meant to make a point about discourtesy or hurtful words, it would have been wiser not to toss the phrases, “disgusting ignorant bigot” and “scum” into the ring. The fact that Kate was not even the writer of the, dare I say it, dreadful word “newfie” seems to suggest, to me anyway, you may have over-reacted.
I suggest you put down the Screech, unclench your fists and perhaps have a nice soothing cup of tea before you blow out a blood vessel in your brain. Don’t you worry, I’m going to have a talk with the other leaders of the “Scary Hidden Conservative Agenda Committee” about the feckless use of the N word.
All the best with your “modern society” AND your anger-management issues.
Neo Conservative.
Mike: persoanlly I like the term “Newf” better than “Newfie” ….”Newf” is the proper noun when identifying a person who lives in North America’s primier welfare state. “Newfie” is an adjective and is more properly used to describe things that would be acceptable to a “Newf”.
EG:
The Newf pleaded not guilty in his welfare fraud case.
Greasing pogey is really “Newfie”
Hope this clears thing up for you Mike. 😉
Newfie —–geez always thought it was New Fee.
when ever I went to a federal office they always said there was a “new fee” associated with the service. the 550000 living on the rock seemed to be the benefactors of all the “new fees” and “new taxes” I paid.
Perhaps Mikey would prefer that we stop using the term NEWFIE .. which may imply that something is being done TO YOU as in being a recipient perhaps of a welfare check. In another world I might have used the term ’employee’ but that would be fantasy so long as there is a single cod fish to chase around the Atlantic whilst on the dole.
If we refer to Mikie and he brethren with the name NEWFER which might imply that you are doing something to or for someone else. He may have a bit higher self-esteem.
But then you would actually have to do something for someone else for that to be a reality and we all know that there is little reality in Newfoundland it’s all government fantasy and missing feesh.
Duke,I noticed Kate had to remove some typically bigotted remarks of yours from another thread,then you pop over to this one to attack yet another group.What the hell is your problem ?
You better find a way to get rid of all that hatred or it’s going to eat you from the inside!
Kidding aside for a moment, my policy has always been to consider the intent behind any word or term used, not the actual word itself. If I don’t perceive any harm intended in the use of whatever term is used, I ignore it…no harm done.
The use of the term “Newf” or “Newfie” can either be used as an innocent terminology or it can be used as something derogatory. Likewise, if someone says “Aren’t YOU a genius!” in sarcasm, the words are positive but the intent is negative. No one should get hung up on the words used…look beyond to the perceived intent.
From what I’ve heard, most “Newf” references seem to be innocent…mostly terms of endearment, while a greater number of “Newfie” references can be negative…but both are easier to use than “a fellow from Newfoundland” or “Newfoundlander”. I think it has become an accepted part of the lexicon in Canada, so Mikey should take a pill.
Having said that, everyone should probably be considerate and reduce the use of the terms, where possible…just to be sensitive “progressive” types.
Maybe, if we were not all encouraged, by the previous Liberal governments, to embrace multiculturalism, we could all call ourselves “CANADIANS” and a lot of this so-called racism would disappear. Are all immigrants not coming to Canada for a better life, or Canadians who move from one province to another moving there for a better life. If all of us could come together as “Canadians” not hyphenated-canadians, who knows how great we could become as a nation.
I’m hardly one of the ‘progressive’ types, but…
For those who don’t want to willingly offend, Newf is fine, I use it all the time.
As for those who believed the ‘divide and conquor’Lib line that the 500000 of us sitting on MASSIVE resources that have reaped billions for the CDN treasury in exports (which bring NEW money into Canada, rather than churn what’s already here) are somehow a drain on confederation. I suggest you peruse this report.
http://theindependent.ca/balance.asp
Surprised?
Disclaimers:
– I’m a Newfoundlander, a very right-leaning one
(i.e., I HATE Political Correctness)
– I agree with Hassle et al that the (usually obvious) intent is the real message, more than the words used. I’ve seen both (Newf/Newfie) used with both positive and also strongly negative intent, such as in some of the above comments about Newfoundlanders in general.
I’m keeping an open mind, as I have a suspicion that it’s people (such as Duke) trying to discredit the blog/readers as a whole, but am not a regular here and can’t say about the other fairly nasty contributors. They don’t do the Right or this blog any service if the really are mainstream, IMHO.
I can’t help thinking that this has become a tempest in a teapot. Maybe it’s easy for me to say, as I’m not from Newfoundland, but, hey, I belong to one or two other groups that regularly are commented on. I’m not defending name-calling and I hardly think that calling someone from Newfoundland a Newfie is name-calling, seeing as so many Newfoundlanders refer to themselves this way. It is, afterall, in the Canadian vernacular now.
If Mike has a problem with Newfoundlanders being referred to as Newfies on SDA, I guess he’s going to have to contact a whole lot of media and other outlets to tell them to lay off, too.
Okay, I’m not touching this one with a ten foot pole – I didn’t read any of the comments specifically for the reason that I don’t want to write an essay here.
Bottom line: Newfoundlanders are justifiably sensitive about how we’re viewed by the rest of Canada and the world. Newfie jokes: People really do believe the stereotypes, unfortunately. So here’s a couple of pointers. Don’t say “newfie” unless you’re from Newfoundland. It’s really, REALLY, rude to do so. Some people don’t mind it – a lot of others do. It’s like using the other n-word around blacks – if you’re not, don’t use it.
That being said, I can understand why Mr. Ghaney got upset, but he probably didn’t have a reason to.
In conclusion: If you don’t, respect your fellow Canadians – stereotypes are for weak minds. And Chill out, Mr. Ghaney!
I kin say newfie if I wants to.
Im a bluenoser , a Haligonian , and me mother she be a newfie.
so der me son.
Pearl: I second your comment
“I have a suspicion that it’s people (such as Duke) trying to discredit the blog/readers as a whole”
I like this old saying: “Give a fool enough rope and he’ll hang himself.”
Kate’s post is the rope, and the fool is…”
You can call me an “Aussie” by the way. It’s ok.
p.s. The world champion sniper Taliban slayer is from Newfoundland…last name “Furlong”. The americans gave him the bronze star. Chew on that “duke”.
I’d also like to point out that the economic situation in NL has taken a big upturn in recent years. Things aren’t as great as they could be, sure, but judging from the number of houses being built here in St. John’s and judging from all the new businesses that are shooting up here overnight, things are looking way up.
and cal2: Give it a rest! Canada isn’t a nation of rednecks, welfare bums, wacko hippies and snooty urbanites! Stereotypes are the mark of a weak mind!
Newfie..Newfie…Newfie….Newfie…Newfie…Newfie…Newfie…Newfie…..Newfie….
Ok got that out of my system…..whats the problem?
DOUG IN ALBETRA WHO WOULD WANT TO MOVE TO ALFARTA
ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO MAKES THE WEST A SICKENING PLACE TO VISIT AND LIVE I SPENT 8 YEARS IN ALFARTA GIVE ME NEWFOUNDLAND ANYTIME YOU LOW CLASS BRAINLESS ALFARTAN COWARD AND WANNABE TOUGH GUY WHO PROBABLY WEARS A 15 GALOON STETSON TO MAKE MAKE YOU LOOK 10 FEET TALL.
MIKE PROBABLY TOWERS OVER YOU AND IF YOU MET HIM FACE TO FACE HE WOULD WIPE YOU OUT.
DOUG IN ALBETRA WHO WOULD WANT TO MOVE TO ALFARTA
ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO MAKES THE WEST A SICKENING PLACE TO VISIT AND LIVE I SPENT 8 YEARS IN ALFARTA GIVE ME NEWFOUNDLAND ANYTIME YOU LOW CLASS BRAINLESS ALFARTAN COWARD AND WANNABE TOUGH GUY WHO PROBABLY WEARS A 15 GALOON STETSON TO MAKE MAKE YOU LOOK 10 FEET TALL.
MIKE PROBABLY TOWERS OVER YOU AND IF YOU MET HIM FACE TO FACE HE WOULD WIPE YOU OUT.
DOUG IN ALBETRA WHO WOULD WANT TO MOVE TO ALFARTA
ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO MAKES THE WEST A SICKENING PLACE TO VISIT AND LIVE I SPENT 8 YEARS IN ALFARTA GIVE ME NEWFOUNDLAND ANYTIME YOU LOW CLASS BRAINLESS ALFARTAN COWARD AND WANNABE TOUGH GUY WHO PROBABLY WEARS A 15 GALOON STETSON TO MAKE MAKE YOU LOOK 10 FEET TALL.
MIKE PROBABLY TOWERS OVER YOU AND IF YOU MET HIM FACE TO FACE HE WOULD WIPE YOU OUT.
Great link Maz2. I just read the entire aticle and in the article he states that Ontario has 68 public servants/1000 the Maratimes have 88/1000. If you look at Saskatchewan we have 110/1000. Kind of scary !!!! You can see why Saskatchewan is reluctant to really make changes to the way it conducts “business”. The problem with these transfer payments is that wealth for the government does not translate ito wealth for the people. Most of the money gets gobbeled up by civil servants. When you tax money away from business to be spent by the government that money meets an untimely death. Business will generally invest most of their profits into growing their business(and cosequently increasing employmenent unlike gvernmenent which uses that money to buy vote. What do you think those silly like rebate cheques from SGI are all about? I have personalexperience. I remorgaged my paid off house 10 years to invest in a small manufacturing company. I have not seen a cent of return but the there has been a signifigant increase in the value of the company due to the hard work and dicipline of the management team. At some point this investmentf will pay off. That is the difference between business and government. Government is only looking to the next election and has no dicipline because as the old saying goes “easy come easy go”.
Wow. And I thought that, as conservatives, we were above bashing each other based upon place of origin, but apparently some of Kate’s readers think otherwise.
In a nutshell: Most urban Newfoundlanders *do* consider the term ‘newfie’ to be a slur (as it originated, ‘goofie newfie’).
Usually you will find support and fondness for the term amongst outport Newfoundlanders.
If I went to another place in Canada and was introduced as a ‘newfie’ during a meeting i would be quite upset, just as a westerner would be upset to be introduced as a token ‘hayseed’ on a panel. I would make my displeasure known (and have).
The term is kind of like the word ‘n***er’ in that Newfoundlanders can use it, but you can’t. Period.
Seriously people; Kate using the word ‘newfie’ here doesn’t bother me half as much as hearing the rest of you recite tired old stereotypes and jokes without realizing that they weren’t funny the first time some one told them.
Gee, that Tommy character above seems very intelligent and reasonable, doesn’t he?
My, my… them moonbats are quite the folks, aren’t they?
Shawn hit it above.
CS, he’s no Shakespeare, and apparently also not one of the ‘majority’ of Newfoundlanders that don’t mind being slurred, as you earlier claimed.
I don’t generally take much notice of the term when directed from Canadians, as I find it pretty much declares the ignorance of the person saying it. No need to waste my time with an ignoramous. Just move on.
Guess I expected better from the SDAers, thus my surprise at reading some of the comments.
Is today a holiday?
I lived outside of Montreal for more than 6 months and never once heard jokes about Newfoundlanders. I met a lot of French-speakers who hated the rest of Canada but I generally got along well with most of them because I took the time to learn enough French to be able to have short conversations and conduct business — I think that they appreciated that gesture.
Mikey probably isn’t a Newfoundlander at all — he probably works for the mainstream media and is depressed because they no longer control the flow of information.
-Michael McCullough
Stingray: a blog for salty Christians